Category: Music

Today in 1975, David Bowie released “Fame”:

Today in 1978, the UN named Kansas ambassadors of goodwill:

Two birthdays today are from the same group: Drummer Bobby Harrison was born two years before  bassist Dave Knights of Procol Harum:

If that’s your list, you ask, where is your double play? Right here:

For some reason,  the Beatles’ “Sie Liebt Dich” got only to number 97 on the German charts:

The English translation, “She Loves You,” did much better, yeah, yeah, yeah:

This would have never happened in Madison, but … in Milwaukee today in 1993, Don Henley dedicated “It’s Not Easy Being Green” to President Bill Clinton … and got booed.

Frank Mills played a big instrumental of the late ’70s, “Music Box Dancer”:

Let’s see what we can find in the double play box, herr kommissar:

My German side should appreciate this: Today in 1870, Richard Wagner premiered “Die Valkyrie”:

Today in 1964, the Beatles released their album “A Hard Day’s Night”:

Today in 1975, Sonny and Cher decided they didn’t got you babe anymore — they divorced:

(Interestingly, at least to me: Sonny and Cher revived their CBS-TV show after their divorce. Also, Cher did a touching eulogy at Sonny Bono’s funeral.)

Today in 1990, eight Kansas and Oklahoma radio stations decided to boycott singer KD Lang because she didn’t have a constant craving for meat, to the point she did an anti-meat ad:

Birthdays start with Billy Davis Jr. of the Fifth Dimension:

Jean Knight, who was dismissive of Mr. Big Stuff:

Rindy Ross, the B-minor-favoring singer of Quarterflash:

There seems to be a blue theme today, starting with the first birthday,  Harold Melvin, who had Blue Notes:

Carly Simon:

Ian McDonald played guitar for King Crimson and Foreigner:

Alan Lanier of Blue Öyster Cult:

Brian MacLeod of Chilliwack:

Tim Finn of Crowded House:

George Michael:

Proving that there is no accounting for taste, I present the number six song today in 1972:

Twenty years later, Billy Joel got an honorary diploma … from Hicksville High School in New York (where he attended but was one English credit short of graduating due to oversleeping the day of the final):

Birthdays start with Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac:

Chris Wood of Traffic was born the same day …

… as Jeff Beck:

Colin Blunstone of the Zombies:

Patrick Moraz played keyboards for Yes (for one album) and the Moody Blues (including their number one album “Long Distance Voyager”):

John Illsley of Dire Straits:

Terrance Wilson, better known as Astro, of UB40:

Curt Smith of Tears for Fears:

Jeff Cease of the Black Crowes:

Today in 1956, perhaps the first traffic safety song, “Transfusion,” reached number eight:

Today in 1975 was not a good day for Alice Cooper, who broke six ribs after falling off a stage in Vancouver:

Today in 1979, the Knack released “My Sharona”:

The short list of birthdays starts with Myles Goodwin of April Wine …

… and ends with Joey Allen of Warrant:

With a short list of stuff, here’s a double play:

Today in 1959, along came Jones to peak at number nine:

Today in 1968, here came the Judge to peak at number 88:

Today in 1985, Glenn Frey may have felt the “Smuggler’s Blues” because it peaked at number 12:

Birthdays start with Howard Kaylan of the Turtles:

Todd Rundgren (the last selection a song that Packer fans know when they hear it at Lambeau Field, something good is guaranteed to happen):

Larry Junstrom,  bass player for .38 Special …

… was born the same day as Gary Moffet of April Wine:

Derek Forbes of Simple Minds:

Garry Beers of INXS:

Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones:

Today in 1982, Paul McCartney released “Take It Away”:

Birthdays today start with the great Lalo Schifrin:

Ray Davies of the Kinks:

Chris Britton of the Troggs:

Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer:

Kip Winger of,  well, Winger:

Birthdays today begin with guitarist Chet Atkins:

Bobby Nunn of the Coasters:

Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys:

Anne Murray:

Alan Longmuir of the Bay City Rollers:

Michael Anthony of Van Halen:

Joseph Cathcart of Nelson:

Nothing but birthdays today, beginning with Tommy DeVito of the Four Seasons:

Elaine “Spanky” McFarlane of Spanky and Our Gang:

Ann Wilson of Heart:

Larry Dunn of Earth Wind & Fire:

Simon Wright, drummer of AC/DC: